Volunteer

Get Involved in Your Child's School

A child's first and most influential teachers are their parents and guardians. Your involvement, whether big or small, plays an essential role in their growth, learning, and long-term success.

At Othello School District, we value strong partnerships with families and community members. We encourage parent and family engagement through school events, volunteer opportunities, parent programs, and ongoing communication. Information about these programs, meetings, and activities is available in alternative formats upon request.

Become a Volunteer

We welcome parents and community members to volunteer in our schools! Volunteers support classrooms, activities, and events across the district.

How to Get a Volunteer Form

You may obtain a volunteer form in any of the following ways:

Pick one up at any school building from the secretary staff
Visit the Othello School District Office, where forms are available at the front desk
Download the forms below (English and Spanish) and return the completed form to any school or directly to the District Office

ENGLISH VOLUNTEER FORM SPANISH VOLUNTEER FORM

How to Submit Your Form

Once completed, return your form to the school secretary or to the District Office. All forms are forwarded to the district for processing.

What Happens Next

Your form is processed through WATCH, the Washington State Patrol background check system.
If the report shows anything needing further review, it is sent to district administration for a final decision.
If the report is clear, you will be added to the District Volunteer List, valid for two years from the approval date.
All school secretaries and Parent Coordinators can access the list to verify volunteer approval and expiration dates.

Processing Timeline

We kindly ask for up to 2 business days to process volunteer applications. During peak times, we may receive a high volume of forms, so your patience is greatly appreciated.

Everything You Should Know

Confidentiality Guidelines for Volunteers and Visitors
Photography and Social Media Guidelines

Confidentiality Guidelines for Volunteers and Visitors

When volunteering or visiting Othello School District schools, you may see or hear information about students’ work, behavior, or personal matters that must remain confidential. In some cases, you may also have limited access to student records or other private student information.

Students have the right to expect that all information about them will be kept private. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, reinforces this right and governs the privacy of student education records.

As a volunteer or visitor, you must:

Keep all information about students strictly confidential.
Share information only with authorized school staff, as designated by school administrators.
Avoid discussing any student information in person, by phone, email, or on social media.
Respect students’ privacy by not asking personal questions that are unrelated to your volunteer role.

Exceptions:
If a student shares information that indicates a safety concern or that a student may be at risk, you must report it immediately to a teacher or school administrator.

By following these guidelines, you help maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

Photography and Social Media Guidelines

Volunteers and visitors may not take photos or videos of students, nor post any student images or videos to social media, even if a staff member suggests it is allowed.

If a community or educational partner organization wishes to take photos or videos for its own use, the organization must contact the Othello School District Communications Department at tlemus@othelloschools.org in advance to coordinate.

A photo release form must be provided by the organization to the school and signed by parents or guardians before any photos or videos are taken. Please allow sufficient time for the forms to be distributed, collected, and verified by the school prior to the activity.

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